The Book of the Order of Chivalry (c. 1275), was written by Ramon Llull (1232–1315), a polymath and Christian mystic from Majorca. Llull thought that knights should be chosen, trained, and ordained like priests. Llull’s book became a handbook of chivalry throughout much of Europe. Being a Christian mystic, of course he writes about Chivalry using Christian vocabulary. But I think his ideas transcend any particular Spiritual Tradition.
LLull wrote over 250 books on a wide range of subjects, including theology, philosophy, logic, science, and even poetry. (And one on Chivalry!) He is best known for his book Ars Magna &mdahsh; a groundbreaking philosophical and logical system that aimed to uncover universal truths using mathematics — now considered the invention of Mathematical Combinatorics. He was also known for his interest in memory and logical systems more generally: his method of linking virtues to physical objects is an example of the ancient memory technique known as the Memory Palace.
An overview of the Order of Chivalry, and a linked table of contents to all my blogs (with music) on various chapters of Llull’s book can be found HERE.
Here Llull equates the knight’s collar (an armored collar worn around his neck) with ‘obedience’:
The collar is given to the knight to signify obedience, for every knight who that is not obedient to his lord nor to the Order of Chivalry dishonors his lord, breaks with his Order. Thus, just as the collar encircles the knight’s neck so that it is protected from strikes and wounds, so obedience makes him follow the commands of his lord and within the Order of Chivalry so that neither treason, pride nor any other vice shall corrupt the oath that the knight has taken to his lord and to Chivalry
Llull’s equating of the knight’s collar with obedience reflects the essential nature of loyalty and discipline in the life of a knight. The collar, which encircles and protects the knight’s neck, symbolizes how obedience safeguards the knight’s honor and moral integrity, allowing him to fulfill his duty to his lord and the Order of Chivalry. Llull sees obedience not as blind submission but as a protective force, ensuring the knight’s commitment to higher principles and shielding him from the temptations of treason, pride, and other vices.
“The collar is given to the knight to signify obedience.”
The collar, wrapping closely around the knight’s neck, represents the necessity of obedience as the foundation of the knight’s life. Obedience is the knight’s safeguard against dishonor, a daily reminder that he is bound to something greater than himself. In this way, Llull emphasizes that the knight’s role is not about unchecked power but about humble submission to the commands of his lord and the values of chivalry. Many spiritual traditions similarly elevate obedience as the foundation of ethical living. In Christianity, for example, obedience to God’s will is seen as the first step toward living a life of virtue, while in Confucianism, obedience to family and societal roles maintains harmony and order.
“Just as the collar encircles the knight’s neck so that it is protected from strikes and wounds.”
The physical protection the collar provides for the knight’s neck mirrors the spiritual and moral protection that obedience offers. Just as the neck is a vulnerable part of the body, a knight’s sense of duty and honor is vulnerable to corruption if he strays from obedience. Obedience, in Llull’s metaphor, acts like armor, guarding the knight against the blows of vice—pride, treason, and rebellion. In the same way that the collar forms a barrier against external harm, obedience forms a shield around the knight’s inner integrity, ensuring that he remains committed to his oath. This idea of obedience as moral protection is also found in the Islamic concept of taqwa (God-consciousness), where one’s mindfulness and obedience to divine law act as a shield against wrongdoing.
“Obedience makes him follow the commands of his lord.”
Llull reminds us that obedience is not simply an act of submission but a conscious choice to align oneself with the commands of a trusted authority. For the knight, this means following the orders of his lord and adhering to the principles of chivalry. By submitting to this external discipline, the knight strengthens his own internal discipline. In many spiritual paths, obedience is seen as a virtue that cultivates deeper self-mastery. In the monastic traditions of Buddhism and Christianity, for instance, obedience to one’s spiritual teacher or abbot is understood as a way to transcend the ego and grow in wisdom and humility.
“Neither treason, pride, nor any other vice shall corrupt the oath.”
Obedience serves as a guardrail, preventing the knight from being led astray by the vices that could corrupt his loyalty and honor. Llull specifically names treason and pride, which are not merely personal failings but direct threats to the fabric of the chivalric order. Treason undermines the trust and bond between the knight and his lord, while pride leads to an inflated sense of self that could tempt the knight to disregard his duties. Through obedience, the knight ensures that he remains true to the oath he has taken—a commitment not just to his lord, but to the principles that underpin his entire role as a knight. This is echoed in many traditions where vows or oaths are seen as sacred commitments. In Judaism, the concept of emet (truth and faithfulness) emphasizes the importance of keeping one’s word, both to others and to God, as a reflection of one’s moral character.
In conclusion, Llull’s metaphor of the knight’s collar as obedience highlights the protective power of this virtue in maintaining a knight’s honor, loyalty, and moral integrity. Obedience is not simply a matter of following orders, but a disciplined commitment to living according to the higher values of chivalry. It shields the knight from the vices that could lead to personal and societal ruin, ensuring that his oath remains intact and his sense of duty unwavering. Across spiritual traditions, obedience is seen as a foundation for a virtuous life, a path that leads not only to personal strength but to the greater good of the community and the fulfillment of one’s moral responsibilities.
The musical piece that accompanies this blog begins with the wild exuberance of our young squire, who then chooses to submit himself to the discipline and training of his order, much of which requires practicing skills over and over (over a repeating bass pattern). And ‘obedience’ is musically symbolized by a canon at the octave: the second lower part ‘obeys’ the higher lead part. As the canon unfolds, so too does long discipline unfold his unique personality and natural abilities, transforming him into a powerful Warrior
